Reporters’ Series: Understanding Amended Child Abuse Laws

Recently, House Bill 1276 was passed, providing for changes and clarification to Act 23, the Child Protective Services Law of 2013-14. Act 23 required employees and adult volunteers who work with children to obtain criminal background check clearances and child abuse clearances.

Many people found the requirements of Act 23 onerous and difficult to understand. With the passage of HB 1276, legislators intended to create a clearer definition of who is subject to the requirements as well as who is required to report abuse. Volunteer-based organizations were especially interested and impacted by the updates.

Much of your community volunteers and works with children. Through this convenient and valuable session, learn more about the amendments and how to explain these requirements and the changes to your readers from an authority on the laws.

Teleconference is scheduled to begin promptly at 12 noon. Cost: $10 per phone line for PNA members. $20 for non-members. To register, email Kathleen Landis or phone her at 717-703-3012.

Presenter: Christina Phillips, Director of Training, Pennsylvania Family Support AllianceTina’s child welfare career began more than 20 years ago when she worked as an intake caseworker at a county children and youth agency. In addition to casework, Tina also supervised the policy unit within the Bureau of Policy Development and Program Support for the Office of Children, Youth and Families. During the course of her two decades of service for the children and youth of Pennsylvania, Tina has held a variety of leadership positions, including Associate Director for the National Center for Child Death Review and Department Lead within the Pennsylvania Child Welfare Training Program. In addition to her full-time duties, Tina has also served as an outside consultant for the Pennsylvania Child Death Review and the Federal Child and Family Service Review. She is currently working on her Master of Public Administration through Penn State University.

This is another in a series of sessions being made available through the PNA Foundation’s Reporters’ Series. The Reporters’ Series is meant to provide an educational, non-partisan forum for in-depth exploration of important and timely policy issues impacting the Commonwealth. Through these inexpensive and convenient teleconference sessions, you can simply phone in and listen to experts explain the particulars of a policy topic or pending legislation. Straight facts that will help you better understand and cover an issue and its effect on your community and readers.